.png)
Build & Thrive
Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce.
Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents?
It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction.
Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.
Build & Thrive
What If Your Near Miss Data Is Actually Mental Health Data with Colin Whiteley
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Colin Whiteley, Senior SHEQ Advisor at National Grid who is a construction professional with over 22 years’ experience and a doctoral researcher examining the overlooked link between mental health and safety in construction.
Colin reflects on his journey from working on the tools to senior site and client-side roles, and why his research now focuses on whether risk-taking behaviour and near misses can be early warning signs of mental health distress, not just “human error”.
What we cover:
- Colin’s journey through construction and into research
- Why “lack of concentration” shouldn’t end an investigation
- How minor incidents may signal mental health distress
- The impact of long hours, fatigue and job insecurity
- Why some wellbeing initiatives don’t reach site level
- The role of managers, culture and stigma
- Small, practical changes that can improve safety and wellbeing
It’s a thoughtful conversation about prevention, responsibility and why mental health needs to be treated as a core safety issue in construction.
🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)
📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B
🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.
Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions: https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com
Episode Links:
Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/
Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/
National Grid:
- Website: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grid/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/nationalgriduk
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uknationalgrid
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalgriduk/
- X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nationalgrid
Colin Whiteley:
GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/
Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.
Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk